Academy in Teaneck and Broadway
Bound in Dumont.
When she is not pursuing her passion
for acting, Talia spends time with her
family, including her mother, Audrey;
twin brother, Jude; older sister, Ava,
14; her father, Jason; and her maternal
grandmother, Yolanda.
YOU RECENTLY STARRED IN THE
FEATURE FILM OCEANS 8. WHAT WAS
THE EXPERIENCE LIKE? The people
at Warner Bros. are so nice. The day
we filmed, it was a really cold day in
winter, but it was fun meeting Sandra
Bullock and Sarah Paulson. I felt confi-
dent and very excited and happy to be
HOW DOES TALIA
BALANCE ACTING WITH
HER EDUCATION?
Audrey Cuomo: It’s a challenge
managing school, Talia’s acting and
modeling, plus having two other chil-
dren who pursue their own passions.
We are lucky because Talia’s dad and
grandmother are very involved in
making it all happen. We have a great
support system. For example, her dad
has mastered the art of the self-tape
audition while grandma sometimes
helps by driving to New York City to
take Talia to auditions. Professional
acting requires serious dedication.
It’s an enormous commitment that
requires last-minute changes of plans,
traveling, and driving to the city
practically daily. Although acting and
modeling are serious parts of Talia’s
life, succeeding in school is also very
important to us. We are very lucky
that the Old Tappan elementary
school, T. Baldwin Demarest, is amaz-
ingly supportive, and Talia’s teach-
ers have gone out of their way to
help us balance the crazy schedules.
Missing school or part of a school
day is common. Her teachers are very
understanding and always provide
missed assignments. Her teachers and
staff get excited to hear of Talia’s
performances.
STAGE PRESENCE Talia Cuomo performed opposite Regina Gibson in the Actors Equity
Association production of Leah, The Forsaken at the Metropolitan Playhouse in New York City.
working with them. I was in a trailer
for my hair and makeup. The crew
treated me special. Bridget, the assis-
tant director, wrapped me in a blanket
and Gary Ross [the director] was so
nice. He gave me ideas about how to
act in different ways for my character.
He told me to do my lines one time
angry, then another time extra angry
and another time frustrated. We did
the scene about 10 times.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH
SANDRA BULLOCK AND SARAH
PAULSON? It was fun working with
them because they laughed during
retakes and Sandra Bullock had a
big clear bowl of lollipops, which
she needed for our scene. They
were dressed in fancy clothes.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FUNNY STORIES
TO TELL FROM YOUR TIME ON SET?
It was near Christmas and I was call-
ing Sandy [Sandra Bullock] “Santa.”
Then, the other cast and crew started
calling Sandy, Santa. She was saying
“Ho Ho,” and some of the crew were
saying, “Here comes Santa” when she
walked back on set. They were making
me laugh.
YOU’VE MODELED, DONE THEATER,
ACTED IN COMMERCIALS AND
WORKED IN FILM. WHAT HAS BEEN
YOUR FAVORITE? My favorite jobs
were Leah, the Forsaken at the
Metropolitan Playhouse, Oceans 8 and
a Country Crock commercial. It was
great working with actors in the play.
I was the only kid in the play, but I
made a lot of friends who were adults.
I keep in touch with many of them.
They taught me how to say words from
the 1700s. Oceans 8 is also a favorite
because I got to watch myself in the
movie theater and meet famous movie
stars. And during the Country Crock
commercial I got to eat a lot of cookies,
and play with flour and make a flour
cloud.
IF YOU COULD HAVE YOUR DREAM
JOB OR ROLE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
My dream job is being the main char-
acter in a really famous movie, walking
down the red carpet and winning an
Oscar! I just love working with great
actors and getting lots of attention.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT
IN SCHOOL? One of my favorite
subjects in school is science because
I learn about erosion and pollination.
Nature is so interesting. I also love
art and music because it makes me
feel creative.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? I love to
swim, play Monopoly, cards and riding
my scooter. I also love to read, paint
and draw.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN
YOU GROW UP? I just want to be
happy! ●
(201) FAMILY | FALL 2018
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